Submerged folding oar or paddle



(No Model.)

J. G. DICE & G. O. HOUGK. SUBMERGED FOLDING OAR 0R PADDLE.

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WITNESSES I F MW, WM @XMJM I I or paddles.

UNITED STATES JACOB G. DICE AND GEORGE O.

PATENT OFFICE.

HOUOK, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

SUBMERGED FOLDING OAR OR PADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,842, dated May 13,1890.

Application filed March 1, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, J AOOB G. DICE and GEORGE O. I-IOUCK, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSubmerged Folding Oars or Paddles, of which the following isaspecification.

Our invention relates to improvements in devices for propelling boats,the object of the invention being to provide a reciprocating oar orpaddle adapted to reciprocate beneath the water, being at all timescompletely submerged.

Our invention consists in the various constructions and combinations ofparts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l. is a side elevation of a boat towhich our improved device has been applied. Fig. 2 is a detailed view insection of one of the blades Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same.Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detailed views, respectively, showing a modifiedform of the device. Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed views of a portion of theframe-work adapted to act in the nature of stops for the hinged wings orblades and as a protection for the hinges or joints of the same.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout theseveral views.

In the said drawings, A A represent a boat of any desired size, 00 .90being the water-line.

B is our improved paddle or oar, any suitable number of which may beused and applied in any desired manner.

As shown in Fig. 1, the device is pivoted at a to the side of the boat,and is adapted to be oscillated or reciprocated by means of a handle a,which projects upwardly above the top of the boat.

The paddle or oar B, as shown in Fig. 1, consists of the lower skeletonframe 13, having hinged therein folding blades or paddles O C 0 Each ofthese paddles consists, preferably, of two blades 1) b, hinged togetherby means of a rod 5 which forms a portion of the frame 13. Connected atthe bottom of each pair of blades I) b is a protectingcasing 11 whichserves as a protect-ion for the joints or hinges of the blades orWings 1) and b, and

Serial No. 342,223. (No model.)

is extended so as to form stops b b for said wings.

As thus described it will be seen that by oscillating the handle a tothe position shown in dotted lines the wings b b will be spread and thefull surface thereof exposed to full contact with the water to drive theboat forward. hen the motion is reversed, the blades will be folded tothe position indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and pass looselythrough the water. The blades areat all times submerged,and open andclose automatically by the action of the Water as the motion thereof isreversed.

In Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, we have shown the device modified. In thisconstruction we employ three blades 0 0' 0 The blades 0 and c arepivoted to a vertical standard (Z and pro vided with stops d (P, and acase or protecting device (1 similar to the one 11 before described, thelowcr paddle 0 being hinged at right angles to the upper pair a and c,and adapted, when extended, to come against the extended end (1 of thestandard d.

WVhen moved against the Water in propelling the boat forward, the bladesassume the position shown in Fig. 4, by which a very broad surface ispresented to the action of the water. When moved in the oppositedirection, the blades are folded to the position shown in dotted linesin Figs. 5 and 6, the ed es of the blades only being exposed to theaction of the water, through which they readily pass.

It is obvious that a device of this character admits of variousmodifications in its construction and its operation. It may be attachedin any desired manner and operated by hand or any suitable mechanismwith any desired motive force, such as steam, gas, electricity, or anyother well-known agents.

Having thus described our invention, we claim 1. In a submerged oar orpaddle, the combination, with a suitable supporting frame or standard,of two or more blades hinged to said standard and adapted to foldtogether, as described, and a third blade hinged at right angles to saidblades and adapted to fold in the same direction with said blades, butin a plane at right angles thereto, so that the edges of all the saidblades will be presented in one direction, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a suitable frame or standard, of a pair ofhinged blades connected to said frame or standard and adapted to beturned in opposite directions so as to be extended in substantially thesame plane or folded together in a plane at right angles thereto, and athird blade hinged to said frame or standard at right angles to the axisof said pair of blades, and means for limiting the movement of saidblades when in their extended positions, substantially as specified.

The combination, with a suitable frame or standard, of the blades 0 andc,hinged thereto, a stop easing (l also secured to said standard andadapted to limit the movement of said blades and form a cover for saidhinges, and a third blade c also hinged to said standard with its hingeor axis at right angles to the hinge or axis oi": the other blades, anda stop projection or extension (1, substantially as specified.

i. The combination, with a suitable supporting standard or frame, of twopivoted blades hinged thereto and adapted to fold toward each other,suitable stops for limiting the movement of said blades when turned awayfrom each other, and a third blade also hinged to said standard at rightangles to said pair of blades, and aprojection on said frame or standardto limit the movement of said blade, substantially as specified.

In testimonywhercof we have hereunto set our hands this 26th day ofFebruary, A. l) 1890.

JACOB G. DICE. GEORGE 0. IIOUCK.

Witnesses:

JOSHUA Sco'rr, PAUL A. S'IALEY.

